Pulhqafiat h co



T. P. MORAN. v BRAKE'MECHANISM FOR ROLLING LADDERS.

APPLICATION man OCT. 30. I918.

1 ,3 1 5, 1 46 Patented Sept. 2, 1919.

. o I z o 7 G 0 j .5 4 d:\ A I DJ l 1 awue/wbo'a MamasEMbran wmyam mow,

4.. THE COLUMBIA PLANOORAPI'I C0" WASHINGTON, D C.

it hit) sit? and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Brakehiechanism for Rolling Ladders, which the lowing is a specification.

This invention relates useful improvements in brake mechanisms for rolling ladders such as are usually employed in stores.

In carrying outthe present invention it is my purpose to provide a brake mechanism for rolling ladders whereby the ladder may be automatically locked against accidental movement when occupied thereby preventingthe accidental shifting ofthe ladder from under the occupant during the use of the ladder.

It is also my purpose to provide a brake mechanism for a rolling ladder which will be normally active and which may be rein dored inactive by hand whenever it is desired to shift the ladder along the track or guide rail. Thus the locking of the ladder against accidental movement is insured owing to the fact that immediately upon release of the hand operating means the brake mechanism is automatically set in braking position. i j a Another object of myinvention is the provision of a brake mechanism, of the class de scribed which will embrace the desired features of simplicity, efliciency anddurability, which may be manufactured and marketed at small cost, and which will embody comparatively few parts and being so arranged and correlated as to reduce the possibility of derangement to a minimum.

With the above recited objects in view and others of a similar nature the invention resides in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts set forth in and falling within the scope of the appended claim.

In the accompanying drawing The figure is a fragmentary front eleva-. tion of a rolling ladder equipped with brake mechanism constructed in accordance with my present invention.

Referring now to the drawing in detail 1 designates a ladder of any suitable preferred construction adapted totravel upon a track rail, while 2 designates a guide or support l Spe dii cation of ltet'tei s Pa'tiiti l i Appneatioameu october so, rats: seriarnawasogece;

to such novel and aaeanaeasaaa Fqaiaerrirnen antes. 1

ratenteasept; 2, 1919.

ing rail arranged in a horizontal plane and a from which the ladderl 1* may be suspended.

In the present instance, the hanger for the ladder 1 embodies a bracket 3 suitably fastened to the top rung of i the ladder t11(l p1O]eCt1 11g upwardly therefrom and "equipped its upper ends with lateral l)ttl"lllgS 4 in which are journaled the axles of wheels 5 to engage the track or guide rail 2. In the present instance, the peripheries of the wheels 5 are formed with grooves which receive the rail 2 so as to form effective bearing surfaces for the wheels. Suitably fastened to the hanger inwardly ofand adjacent to the respective wheel bearings 41- are brackets 6 and pivoted, at its 'bight within each bracket 6 is a bell crank lever 7 having one leg projecting up wardly and the other leg arranged in a horizontal plane extending toward the center of the hanger 3. Suitably connected with the outer end of the horizontal legs of the bell crank levers 7 and formed integral with such legs of the bell crank levers are arcuate shaped brake shoes 8 having the lower ends arranged in juxtaposition to the track 2 and the wheels 5 respectively so as to engage the wheels at the track in order to hold the hanger and ladder against accidental shifting movement along the rail or track 2.

In the present instance the upper ends of the vertical legs of the bell crank levers 7 are pivotally connected with the outer extremities of links 9, while the inner ends of the links 9 are pivotally connected to each other and to the upper end of a vertical rod .10. The rod 10 projects downwardly within convenient reach of the occupant of the ladder. 11 designates a coil contractile spring arranged between the vertical legs of the bell crank lever 7. In the present instance the opposite extremities of the contractile spring 11 are connected with the upper end portions of the vertical legs of the respectivebell crank levers and this spring acts to hold the brake shoes 8 normally in engagement with the wheels of the carriage or hanger of the ladder. When, however, the rod 10 is pulled, the links 9 straighten out after the fashion of a toggle link construction thereby swinging the bell crank levers 7 against the action of the spring 11 with the effect to lift the shoes 8 out of engagement with the Wheels 5 thereby enabling the ladder to be shifted along the track.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that I have provided an automatic brake mechanism for rolling ladders Wile/1'8 by the ladder may be held against accidental shifting at all times, and which may be operated manually to relieve the ladder so that the ladder may be shifted Whenever necessary or desired. I

I claim 7 r In combination With a shiftable ladder, a Wheel support therefor and a track over which said supportis adapted to travel, of an automatic brake mechanism comprising hell crank levers pivoted for swinging movement, brake shoes carried by corresponding legs of said levers respectively, a spring connected With the remaining legs of said levers and acting upon the levers to hold the brake shoes normally in engagement With the Wheels of said support, of links connected with the legs of said levers in Which the springs are secured, and a manually: operable rod connected with said links and operable to swing said bell crank levers against the action of said spring to relieve the Wheels from the influence of said brake shoes.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

THOMAS P. MORAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

- v Washington, D. O. 

